RCIA member. Chapel Veil...

[severus68]

You and the poster you are quoting are both right–and wrong.

The code was not ‘revoked in its entirety’. Many of the 1917 codes were ‘reiterated’ in the 1983 Code --not revoked.

The point of contention is whether a former code is ‘revoked’ if it is not explicitly ‘reiterated’ in the later code. And you can have canon lawyers arguing both sides. Some say yes and some say no.

As I understand it, there has not been a real formal statement from the Church.

So again, as I understand it, one can continue to cover. It is certainly not wrong to do so.

And until/unless the point is totally cleared up (and it will be, in time), one is free NOT to cover. However, the reason one does not cover would NOT be in thinking that covering was ‘old fashioned’, or ‘wrong’. . .the reason would be, “I do not feel called to cover at this time”.

And the reason to cover would NOT be, “I’m HOLIER if I cover”. The reason would be, “I feel called to cover at this time.”

A woman who does not cover does not necessarily not cover because she does not feel called to cover at that time. She does not cover because the Church does not say she has to cover.

If a woman wants to cover, she can. Her motivation is quite another thing.

 

[Baelor]

In contradiction to your statement… According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, Canon 20: A later law abrogates or derogates from an earlier law, if it expressly so states, or if it is directly contrary to that law, or if it integrally reorders the whole subject matter of the earlier law. A universal law, however, does not derogate from a particular or from a special law, unless the law expressly provides otherwise. * Canon 21; * In doubt, the revocation of a previous law is not presumed; rather, later laws are to be related to earlier ones and, as far as possible, harmonized with them..

This is somewhat misleading because the issue of the abrogation of the 1917 Code is also addressed, making this section irrelevant.

 

[giuseppeTO]

The 1917 Code of Canon Law was revoked in its entirety by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The current Code of Canon Law does not require women to cover their heads, so women who do not do so are not forgetting nor ignoring canon law.

I believe that the 1983 Code says that any law or custom that is not specifically revoked is still in effect. The 1917 Code is not thrown out, as you suggest, and Chapel Veils may still be in effect and Canon 1262.2 from 1917 would technically apply.

 

[Baelor]

I believe that the 1983 Code says that any law or custom that is not specifically revoked is still in effect. The 1917 Code is not thrown out, as you suggest, and Chapel Veils may still be in effect and Canon 1262.2 from 1917 would technically apply.

That is actually completely wrong:
1983 Code:

Can. 6 §1. When this Code takes force, the following are abrogated:
1º the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1917;

 

[Diana_Catherine]

You know the phrase, “Lead me, follow me, or get the heck out of my way!”…

Options 2 and 3 are looking pretty good.

I like that. I am going to remember it. It’s good.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I am in RCIA.

I am a young, married woman of the age 25. Online, I have came across beautiful chapel veils that I have been eyeing, hoping to get one someday after I become an official catholic

During RCIA a few days ago, I told them what I just told you - and asked if that was okay. I was told that wearing a chapel veil, being a young woman and a new Catholic would be grossly improper, it’s outdated and it’s only acceptable for older Catholic women who grew up that way to still wear it.

Now, to be fair, this particular parish is only a few years old and I live in a very Mormon area, and also I haven’t ever seen anyone wear a chapel veil but I thought it was more of an old school tradition, but that it was still openly optional. I don’t see why it would be “grossly improper”. My heart kind of sank because deep down I was waiting to wear a veil. But oh well I guess. However, the woman who told me this grew up Catholic in NY state.

My sponsor who is an older woman, (but went through RCIA a few years ago…she used to be Mormon) whispered to me “I’ve seen women wear veils on Christmas and Easter” kind of to dispell the “grossly improper” wording.

I also was told that we are strongly discouraged to not go down on our knees when taking communion. The reasoning was because it is distracting and not in uniform. However, when I’ve watched EWTN I’ve seen quite a few people receive the bread on their knees.

I don’t know…I guess I’m a little disappointed. Not really about going down on my knees, but about the veil. Could it be just this church? Diocese? Or just the opinion of the woman about the chapel veils?

Any thoughts? (especially about the chapel veil). Do you think it’s okay to wear a modest veil to mass? The woman who answered my question was leading the class, but not a weekly RCIA teacher.

She was only voicing her opinion and not a correct one. They are not improper at all. Neither is going down on your knees at communion. I see both happenings very frequently.

I, also try to wear a headcovering. It is usually a hat as do several other women in my parish.

 

[giuseppeTO]

That is actually completely wrong:

All that Can. 6 §1 -1 says is that the 1917 Code is no longer in effect. This does not preclude my explanation of laws and customs.

Tantum gives a good explanation in post #17.

 

[LightBound]

A woman who does not cover does not necessarily not cover because she does not feel called to cover at that time. She does not cover because the Church does not say she has to cover.

If a woman wants to cover, she can. Her motivation is quite another thing.

For those Catholics faithful to the Magisterium, it was abrogated.

 

[LEMAITRE]

Following on from this post, why do women have to wear veils when they meet the Pope but not when receiving Christ?

 

[LightBound]

Following on from this post, why do women have to wear veils when they meet the Pope but not when receiving Christ?

Because he’s a Head of State and it’s a headcovering, not a veil when one meets the Pope. Certain etiquette and protocol are in place for meeting such Heads of State. If one wear to meet Queen Elizabeth ll, King Carlos of Spain, or a host of other rulers, one follows a certain protocol, such as not shaking the Queen’s hand unless she has on gloves. Certain colors of garments also apply to this protocol.

I have asked Mr Casey to close this thread since dozens on veiling are in the archives here at CAF and he’s closed the last several, stating that very reason.

 

[PerfectTiming]

I am in RCIA.

I am a young, married woman of the age 25. Online, I have came across beautiful chapel veils that I have been eyeing, hoping to get one someday after I become an official catholic

During RCIA a few days ago, I told them what I just told you - and asked if that was okay. I was told that wearing a chapel veil, being a young woman and a new Catholic would be grossly improper, it’s outdated and it’s only acceptable for older Catholic women who grew up that way to still wear it.

Now, to be fair, this particular parish is only a few years old and I live in a very Mormon area, and also I haven’t ever seen anyone wear a chapel veil but I thought it was more of an old school tradition, but that it was still openly optional. I don’t see why it would be “grossly improper”. My heart kind of sank because deep down I was waiting to wear a veil. But oh well I guess. However, the woman who told me this grew up Catholic in NY state.

My sponsor who is an older woman, (but went through RCIA a few years ago…she used to be Mormon) whispered to me “I’ve seen women wear veils on Christmas and Easter” kind of to dispell the “grossly improper” wording.

I also was told that we are strongly discouraged to not go down on our knees when taking communion. The reasoning was because it is distracting and not in uniform. However, when I’ve watched EWTN I’ve seen quite a few people receive the bread on their knees.

I don’t know…I guess I’m a little disappointed. Not really about going down on my knees, but about the veil. Could it be just this church? Diocese? Or just the opinion of the woman about the chapel veils?

Any thoughts? (especially about the chapel veil). Do you think it’s okay to wear a modest veil to mass? The woman who answered my question was leading the class, but not a weekly RCIA teacher.

You may want to join the Veiled In Grace group - it’s for women who chose to cover their hair, and you will find there are many young women who chose to veil. The women in the group are lovely, and always willing to give advice and share their stories of veiling.

 

[LEMAITRE]

Because he’s a Head of State and it’s a headcovering, not a veil when one meets the Pope. Certain etiquette and protocol are in place for meeting such Heads of State. If one wear to meet Queen Elizabeth ll, King Carlos of Spain, or a host of other rulers, one follows a certain protocol, such as not shaking the Queen’s hand unless she has on gloves. Certain colors of garments also apply to this protocol.

Thank you for that interesting and informative answer.